IP Camera Software

So I finally broke down and got some IP cameras.
I found a deal I could not refuse on a cheap VGA quality DLINK Wireless IP Cam for $20 and after using it for a week or so really liked what it was doing for me but found that I would like to step up.
So on order is a 720P Foscam with the pan/tilt and I think a wider angle lens
But already I found a camera that I wish I had gotten for a bit more that has 1080P and a wide angle lens with some other great features.

The short of the long is that with the dlink the dlink software was great for viewing/recording and the dlink app is also really great for remote viewing on my phone.
As soon as I get the Foscam and later on what brand I get next I will not want to be running 3+ pieces of brand specific software and will need to use one of the many brand neutral suites.
Currently I am using ISPY and it seems pretty good, but its not free anymore and they want a monthly fee to use the remote feature and some of the other benefits.
Next I think I am going to try XProtect Go as they have a free version for up to 5 cameras (not sure if it has any other limitations)
Do you guys into this stuff already have a good setup you recommend for the software? I would want to avoid monthly fees.

Then there is the whole "what is the best way to view remote" debate. Something like the dlink app is great but I do already have a DDNS server I use for my mumble server, I can easily forward some ports and connect via URL if that is the best way. Also for a program like ispy where local viewing is free. I wonder if I might use a VPN so that I can connect remote and appear as a local connection.

Its thoughts like that, that I would like to bounce around and see what others have tried and or recommend.

 

You want to broadcast from your camera to the world or to a specific person? If a specific person, I think yawcam software can do it. You would have to let that person know the URL. The trick is to use a static dns and it looks like you have a server so that should work. Don't know if VPN would work with yawcam software.

 

Not the world, while anybody with the url could connect I want it to require authentication at connection.
Or if not via url just via an app that would be fine as well.

 

Then just use a service like UStream.tv Pretty sure you can use a password for authentication. Then give the password to those who you want to see the video.

 

My coworker got a foscam (can't remember what model tho) few weeks ago. Works with ddns and has phone/browser apps. He's happy with it and if I needed one I'd probably get the same thing.